DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian president Bashar al Asad accepted Tuesday the resignation of the government led by Syrian prime minister Mohammed Naji Otri, state television reported.

A new cabinet was expected to be formed within 24 hours.

Syria has been gripped by a wave of deadly dissent since mid-March, which put Asad under unprecedented pressure as protesters kept up their calls for reform.

Supporters of the Syrian leader hit back Tuesday, with thousands taking to the streets of Damascus chanting “The people want Bashar al Asad” under a massive picture of the president that was hoisted onto Syria’s central bank.

All roads leading to Sabeh Bahrat (Seven Seas) square in Damascus were cut off by police armed with batons, as men, women and children raised Syrian flags and pictures of Asad and his father, the late president Hafez al Asad.

“We are here to show the real will of the Syrian people, and that is to protect and support their president, may God protect him,” said a young woman named Raghad, who turned out early for the rally with her sisters.

Asad, who rose to power in 2000, is expected to address his people in the coming days to announce the end of Syria’s state of emergency, which has been in force since the ruling Baath Party took power in 1963.

Otri formed his government in 2003, and it was last reshuffled in April 2009.